How to Change a Mini Dirt Bike Tire
Mini dirt bikes are small dirt bikes designed for the smaller figured rider or for young riders. They provide an appropriately sized motorcycle for small riders to learn and get comfortable on. Mini dirt bikes are also fairly easy to maintain as their smaller riders are usually not able to inflict as much wear and tear on them. However, the mini dirt bike tires do often wear out after extended use and need replacing. While these tires aren't as easy to replace as a bicycle tire, they are easier than large motorcycle tires and can easily be taken care of in a home garage. With a little bit of technical knowledge and preparation you should easily and quickly be able to change a mini dirt bike tire today.
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Things You'll Need
- Tire levers
- Socket set
- Cinder block
- New tire
- New tube
- Valve tool
- Air compressor
Instructions
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Set the center of the frame of the dirt bike on the cinder block so that the tire you are going to change is up off the ground. Use the socket set to loosen the mounting bolts on the axle of the wheel. If you are changing the front tire, the wheel should now fall free, but if it is the back tire then you will need to slide the axle forward and remove the chain from the sprocket before the wheel can be removed.
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2
Lay the wheel on the ground and use the valve tool to remove the valve from the tube and allow all of the air to escape. When the tube is empty, screw the valve back into the valve stem. Slide the end of the tire levers under the lip of the tire and pull it towards you. This will lift the lip of the tire and pop it off the rim. Work your way around the rim in this manner until both the tire and old tube are removed.
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3
Partially inflate the new tube and slide it into the tire. Use the tire levers to leverage the new tire onto the rim in the same way you leveraged the old tire off. Use the compressor to pump the tire up to its manufacturer recommended pressure. Remount the wheel on the motorcycle by sliding it into the stays and then screwing the mounting screws down tight on the ends of the axles.
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Tips & Warnings
Many tire shops will only charge you $5 or $10 to change tires, which can save you a lot of headache and work in the long run.
Be careful when working with the tire levers, as if one slip from your hand it could cause serious harm.
